HEMATOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY FINDINGS IN CAPTIVE HUMBOLDT PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS-HUMBOLDTI)

Haematological and clinical biochemistry values were determined in 15 healthy Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti captured at Isla de Ca chagua, V Region, Chile and maintained at the Metropolitan Zoo of Sant iago, Chile. Blood samples were obtained at 3 days and 3, 7 and 15 wee ks post-capture. The confinement did not affect the red blood cell par ameters (RBC, PCV, Hb, MCV, MCHC, P > 0.05). Slight changes in the abs olute number of heterophils and lymphocytes were observed. Albumin, fi brinogen and glucose values did not change while total plasma proteins and globulin increased significantly (P < 0.05) between 3 and 7 weeks post-capture. Aspartate aminotransferase increased (P < 0.05) between 3 days and 15 weeks post-capture. The haematological and blood chemis try values of the Humboldt penguins showed some differences compared t o the values for other species of penguins reported in the literature.